McNeal Briguela, also known by his stage nameAwra Briguela, is a Filipino actor and comedian. He gained recognition when he starred in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, personally chosen for the role by the show's lead actorCoco Martin. Briguela's life was featured in a titular episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in 2016. In 2017, he was declared champion in the first season of the Filipino version of .
Personal life
Briguela has been openly gay since childhood, and is fond of impersonating Filipina actresses like Sarah Geronimo, Sarah Lahbati, and his idol Maja Salvador, who was one of his co-casts in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. He popularized his screen name "Awra" upon achieving mainstream recognition as an actor and comedian.
Career
2016–present: Career beginnings and ''FPJ's Ang Probinsyano''
He started his career off as an internetsensation. Briguela became known to his parents for impersonating actress such as Sarah Geronimo and Sarah Lahbati. He was discovered by actor, Coco Martin, who personally saw him as a chance in his primetime television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, a remake of the 1997 film of the same title and name. Briguela gained widespread for his role as "MakMak" and the series was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, who created many successful pictures such as Doble Kara, Ina, Kapatid, Anak, and Till I Met You. Briguela starred in the series opposite Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Albert Martinez, Arjo Atayde, Eddie Garcia, Agot Isidro, Jaime Fabregas, and Simon "Onyok" Pineda, who played the role of Onyok. Briguela won a 3rd Aral Parangal Awards for Best Child Performer, which he won twice, for the primetime series. His life was featured in the eponymous episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, playing as himself alongside Aleck Bovick and Janus del Prado who played his mother and father respectively. Briguela also guested in Gandang Gabi, Vice! with Onyok Pineda and Coco Martin. He made his film debut in the Super Parental Guardians which he portrayed the role of Megan Gaspar. Among these, Briguela will reunite with his Ang Probinsyano co-stars Coco Martin, Onyok Pineda and Vice Ganda. The film was a success and was an entry in the Metro Manila Film Festival but this was declined shortly after. The film was produced by Star Cinema and the trailer was released on November 21, 2016. He guested on as a contestant.
